Marco Pezzaiuoli reflects on JFC stalemate & road ahead for his side

The Blues are now winless in seven straight games.

Earlier tonight, Bengaluru FC earned their second consecutive draw of the season, against Owen Coyle's Jamshedpur FC. With this, they remain ninth in the standings -- something that fans wouldn't have wished for especially after improved performances of late. In other words, since the 3-3 result against ATK Mohun Bagan that ended their losing streak, they've looked a much better side in most areas.

Today especially, Marco Pezzaiuoli's boys displayed a better defensive performance; with all prospects including 'keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu doing their bits. Basically, apart from some misjudgements wherein they tried to start the play from the back, there weren't many individual blunders as such -- like the previous games. However, what lacked in this game was quality finishing and overall style of play in the final third. Nonetheless, they took a point from this fixture.

After this game, Marco Pezzaiuoli spoke at the post-match press conference:

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On the defensive performance

First up, he was asked to share his thoughts on the Blues' defence tonight. That is if they did so well as a team. On this, he expressed, "I think, yes. Defensive wise, we were good. Set pieces were clear and also against the ball, we did well. I think it was a game of not so many chances, but it was still a good game."

Regarding Cleiton Silva's substitution

Next, Marco Pezzaiuoli answered a question on Cleiton Silva's controversial 73rd-minute substitution in place of skipper Sunil Chhetri. Basically, he reasoned why he did so after the Brazilian clearly displayed signs of frustration at the move.

He stated, "We wanted to play with six strikers. In a game like this, you need to be compact as well. One chance can decide the game and I wanted to have Prince (Ibara) as the attacking player. I thought Cleiton was a bit tired and thought to bring in a fresh striker. Sunil has the ability to score and he also had a great chance when (during) the free-kick (taken by Ashique Kuruniyan in the 84th minute)," explaining his motive for the decision.

Thoughts on the finishing

As mentioned, what looked dull was Bengaluru FC's style of play inside the final third -- basically, their finishing after creating multiple chances throughout. On this, the 53-year-old opined, "Well I think it was good goalkeeping and defending from the opponent. In the first half, Cleiton had a great chance as well from a cross from Ashique (Kuruniyan). It wasn't lucky enough. But I think, not so many (we didn't have) chances but we created chances that's (which is) a good way (sign)," referring to the positives in creating opportunities while being unable to capitalize on them, however.

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On being winless in seven games

Finally, Marco Pezzaiuoli was asked about the road ahead in terms of requirements to turn around this ongoing streak of being winless in seven straight games.

To this, he responded, "(We have to) Keep going on. I can now call the referee and ask him why he didn't give a penalty or this (and that). But that isn't the question mark now. I think we are on the right way and we have a lack (something lacking) in our side, Sunil (Chhetri) scores or Cleiton (scores). (What's) important is that we have a clean sheet -- which is important after 3-3 last week. And last week, we had a great game, we scored nice goals and were very offensive football-wise (tactically). Today, both teams were very strong. You also need to appreciate this sometimes as well -- that the opponent was good. That's what today was like;" thereby concluding the press conference.

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